Verizon and Comcast Respond To The FCC's New Net Neutrality Rules

The FCC announced that the agency is working on a new set of net neutrality rules that will prevent internet service providers like Verizon from charging money for companies like Netflix to stream shows and movies to its consumers.

The new guidelines would stop providers from blocking access to any website or slowing it down. This ruling keeps forces internet service providers to maintain the even playing field that tiny firms want, helping them compete with the massive ones.

By contrast, the large telcos that provide web access complain that some companies — like Netflix — use so much bandwidth that it costs them much more to provide services for all their customers. They want the ability to charge what the market would allow them to.

Thus the new ruling would treat internet providers more like water and electric utilities than private companies, by requiring them to provide equal services regardless of cost.

"Verizon remains committed to an open Internet that provides consumers with competitive choices and unblocked access to lawful websites and content when, where, and how they want. We have always focused on providing our customers with the services and experience they want, and this focus has not changed."

Comcast's Executive Vice President David L. Cohen issued this statement:

"Comcast supported the Commission’s Open Internet Order as an appropriate balance of protection of consumer and business interests and we agreed in the NBCUniversal Transaction Order to abide by the Open Internet rules for seven years even if the rules were modified by the courts. With the direction announced today, FCC Chairman Wheeler has taken a thoughtful approach which creates a path for enforceable rules based on the appropriate authority outlined by the Court’s findings.

We continue to be committed to work with Chairman Wheeler and the Commission to play a constructive role going forward that will continue to allow the Internet to flourish.”